Review of Cool Runnings (1993) by Greg W — 04 Dec 2015

Cool Runnings employs the conventions of the sports genre in order to connect its audience of the fun and playful attitude that can take place in the Olympics; while underlining the harsh judgement that can pierce right through the heart. By putting Jamaica in the crosshairs of this movie, this film illustrates the reality of racism in the modern world. While the movie may portray racism as playful and harmless, the struggle is real and the film guilts its audience into a sympathetic subconscious selection to stand up and stand firm against the fight on racism. Based on the 1988 Winter Olympics, Cool Runnings is the story of the Jamaican Bobsled team. Derice Bannock (Leon Robinson) is a national champion sprinter. In his efforts to qualify for the upcoming summer Olympics he is tripped in the qualifying match and is not able to run for his country. In his desperation to compete for Jamaica in the Olympics he comes to the conclusion that his only other option is to pioneer Jamaicans first bobsled team. With no support or belief from anyone, Derice (Robinson) journeys to find Irv Blitzer (John Candy) a former bobsled gold medalist who lives on the island. Seeking coaching Derice (Robinson) organizes the first Jamaican bobsled team and prepares for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Ironically finding the same competitors who tripped him in his qualifying match are the only ones who would join the bobsled team. Putting the past behind them they head to Calgary in hopes of qualifying as the first ever Jamaican team to compete in the Winter Olympics. Upon arrival they discover that they are not as warmly greeted as they had hoped, both literally and figuratively with the freezing temperatures and the shock of nothing but white people. Being hated for messing with the winter Olympic tradition they soon find that all the odds are against them. Even their own country fails to support after their first time trial. Seeming to do nothing right they find their identity and stick to Irv's (Candy) theory to put sprinters on ice. Becoming part of the Olympic community and winning over the hearts of their fans and competitors, they prove that Jamaicans can indeed run on ice and compete for a first ever winter Olympic gold medal.

Jon Turteltaub (Dir) clearly addresses the problem of racism in the movie Cool Runnings. However the film never once uses the words of racism. It is never said in words, black and white that racism is the problem and current issue in the movie. So how is this done? Turteltaub uses many different devices to address the problem of racism without ever actually pointing a direct finger or making any harsh judgments. It is never addressed that Jamaica are the good guys and team USA are the bad guys, even though you will often find most everyone will be cheering for Jamaica over the USA even if it happens to be their own country. That is because Turteltaub indirectly frames team USA as the bad guys. First of all, the team captain for the Americans has a European accent, so immediately you are drawn away from him as an American icon. He doesn't fulfill the role as the strong king hearted American. Rather quite the contrary, he is a small cold hearted individual. Never is there any history of his past to prove that he is a bad guy. There is no evidence to judge his character. But through the viewers eyes he is the enemy, there is a dark background automatically painted in the viewers minds of his past, assumptions are made as he is placed on the left hand of the screen. This is one way that Turteltaub addresses the issue of racism without actually saying white men in America are racist. By making the Americans look like the bad guys through their tone of voice, word choice and facial expressions.

Another way that Jamaica is viewed as the protagonist or the good guy is through the colors that are used throughout the movie. The Jamaicans are always wearing bright colors throughout the whole movie. There is always a lot of light on the Jamaicans that makes them glow. On the contrary the Americans and all the other antagonists are in very conservative colors there is a dark cold feeling to them. Although they are both in the same region of the world in the same temperatures. The Jamaicans have a warm welcoming feeling to them because of the yellows, reds and oranges they wear. While the Americans present a cold very undesirable presence through their colors of dark blue and grays that are worn. And the lack of lighting used on their faces, they seem to always be in the shadows while the Jamaicans are always in the sunlight. Not only is there a warm welcoming feeling because of the bright colors of the Jamaicans, they also have very cheerful upbeat music when they are on screen. The music choice throughout the movie is very important when choosing a team to cheer for. With the upbeat drums and cheerful sounds even though you may not understand the words in the song you are drawn to the Jamaicans through their sound of reggae music. Another warm welcoming attribute for the Jamaicans.

You will also notice in this film how the Jamaicans are always so happy, even in the face of adversity they manage to smile and have a great time with life, which is another quality that Turteltaub uses to make them so likable. Which is a very critical emotion used in this film. There is a lot of laughter throughout the film, in fact it is often placed under the comedy section for its genre. So Turteltaub uses this to his advantage, taking racism out of the crosshairs of his film and indirectly addressing the problem at hand. The fact that the Jamaicans are ridiculed for being the minority. Ridiculed for the ridiculous idea that sprinters can run on ice. But through the use of comedy these messages are deeper than meets the eye. This way the film is able to reach out the the white population in a way that it otherwise might not have been able to if I the description it stated that this film was about racism. But through he use of laughter it is able to appeal to all audiences and draw them into the Jamaicans lives creating a connection between the actors and their audiences. Creating that happy positive vibe instead of the dark depressed vibe due to the degradation that takes place against their favor. The way the background is set is key in presenting this as well. Taking plenty of time to set up the background for the Jamaicans. Using over half of the movie to create that bond with the Jamaicans before they head off to Canada to compete for the gold medal. Before the head off to find the hate that exists in the other country's. Overall an excellent device and excellent timing in order to accomplish this feat.

In conclusion, Jon Turteltaub creates an excellent scene to present the modern problems of racism through many different emotional devices. Through the use of laughter and a good attitude. By subconsciously creating a good vs evil feel through the use of colors and lighting. Through the use of brightness and contrast. By setting up the evil shadowy feel vs the light and warm feel. Also through the use of good feeling music, creating a bond that will make the audience happy and help them connect. All in all he does a great job at presenting his message through many different ways and feelings that you wouldn't notice had you just watched the film with no purpose. But if broken down this film can be analyzed and depicted for these various strategies and devices.